Politics

In an effort to balance the county’s budget, the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department has proposed that the Board of Commission close five of the counties recreation centers. The centers proposed for closure are:

The Tobie Grant Recreation Center located at 644 Parkdale Drive in Scottdale.

The Briarwood Recreation Center located at 2235 Briarwood Way in East Atlanta.

The NH Scott Recreation Center located at 2230 Tilson Road in Decatur.

The Mason Mill Recreation Center located at 1340 Mcconnell Drive in Decatur.

The Lucious Sanders Recreation Center located at 2484 Bruce Street in Lithonia.

However, until the commission actually votes on these proposed closures, the centers will continue to operate, as usual. These closings were proposed along with a tax increase of $2.32 million.

TUCKER, GA -- As part of the ongoing investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct involving DeKalb Fire Rescue personnel, Public Safety Director William Z. Miller has placed two Fire Rescue Department commanders on administrative leave today.

Deputy Chief William Smith and Assistant Chief Joseph Tinsley are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. This action was taken by Director Miller as a result of recent developments in the investigation. Firefighters William Corbett and Captain Marcus Reed also remain on paid administrative leave as this investigation continues.

ATLANTA -- (Altanta Business Chronicle) U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be the main speaker at Emory University's 166th graduation ceremony on May 9.

"As our graduating students set forth to shape their own lives and careers, they will be well served by the example of Janet Napolitano, who has used her exceptional intelligence, integrity and humanity in behalf of positive transformation in the world," according to a statement from Emory President James W.

Atlanta, GA-- Religious and civil rights leaders from across the country will gather at a press conference at Atlanta’s Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church to launch a new campaign to heighten opposition to capital punishment from the religious community.

Nearly 200 people attending a related national conference at Emory University this week will be at the press conference. The Kairos Conference: Discerning Justice & Taking Action on America’s Death Penalty, set for November 16 and 17 at Emory University, will galvanize new levels of religious involvement in the abolition movement, he said. The Ancient Greek word “kairos” means “a special moment.”

Registration for the Kairos Conference: Discerning Justice & Taking Action on America’s Death Penalty is online at www.kairosconference.org.

Today, President Jimmy Carter will sign copies of his new book, White House Diary at a special book signing at the Carter Presidential Library (441 Freedom Pkwy, Atlanta) on Wednesday, October 13th. The book signing will begin at 6pm in the museum lobby. Copies of White House Diary and other books by President Carter are available for purchase at the museum gift shop.

In order to greet as many people as possible, President Carter will be unable to personalize the books or pose for photographs. While President Carter will sign as many of his books as you have, there is a limit of ten books per person per trip through the line.

DeKalb CountyChief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis announced his appointment of Lani Wong to a two-year term on the board of the Development Authority of DeKalb County following confirmation by the Board of Commissioners. Ms. Wong will finish William Flippin’s term. Flippin resigned earlier this year.

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that his office will begin accepting applications for Solicitor-General of DeKalb County to succeed the Honorable Robert D. James in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 15-18-60.

Individuals qualified for the position under O.C.G.A. § 15-18-62 must complete and submit an application to the Governor’s Office by Thursday, September 30, 2010. Applications may be sent by mail to 201 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 or by fax to 404-656-5948. Electronic submissions to rgreenway@gov.state.ga.us will also be accepted.

For more information, interested applicants should contact Rhonda Greenway, Executive Legal Assistant to the Governor, at 404-651-7715 or via email at rgreenway@gov.state.ga.us .

A copy of the Solicitor-General Application is attached to this release.